call-by-reference

[/kɔːl baɪ ˈrɛfərəns/]
nounpl: calls-by-reference
passagem por referência
1. A method of passing arguments to a function where the memory address (reference) of the variable is passed rather than a copy of its value, allowing the function to modify the original variable
In call-by-reference, changes made to the parameter inside the function affect the original variable in the calling code.
Na passagem por referência, as alterações feitas no parâmetro dentro da função afetam a variável original no código chamador.
2. A programming technique where a function receives a pointer or reference to an object rather than a copy of the object itself
Call-by-reference is commonly used in C++ to efficiently pass large data structures without copying them.
A passagem por referência é comumente usada em C++ para passar eficientemente estruturas de dados grandes sem copiá-las.
This is a technical term primarily used in programming and computer science education. In Brazil and Portugal, it is typically used in its English form 'call-by-reference' in technical documentation, though 'passagem por referência' is the formal Portuguese equivalent. The concept is fundamental to understanding memory management and function behavior in languages like C++, Java, and Python.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
pass-by-referencereference passingcall by address
Antonyms / Antônimos
call-by-valuepass-by-valuevalue passing

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
passagem por referência
Standard technical term used in programming education and documentation
Portugal
passagem por referência
Same terminology as Brazil; used in Portuguese technical documentation
Technical English (International)
call-by-reference
Standard English term in computer science; often left untranslated in technical contexts

Related Words

pointerfunction parametervariable scopememory addresscall-by-sharingargument passing mechanism

Related Idioms & Phrases

modify in place
pass the address
reference semantics
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